Help me enjoy the British GP

[Olf]

Hello chaps.

I'm going to the GP with my wife for the first time this year. We're going Sunday only as we have babies to worry about. We're in the grandstand at copse. We are booked into the park and ride (not sure which one yet).

So, any tips either to make getting to and from as easy as possible, or for what to do once there or is it basically a "get to your seats" lock down with no chance of a walk-about?

Any advice gratefully received.

[belleair302]

The traffic will be busy with the Jenson / Lewis interest but the roads are now well marshalled and traffic volumes correctly managed. I would however suggest arriving earlier not later...ie by 08.00 not by 10.00.

There should be a number of displays to enjoy, not sure if BMW will have their pit lane display present but am sure teams will be doing more than just racing.

Silverstone is a massive area, so be prepared to walk, take along a decent picnic in a backpack, plus drinks etc and be prepared for all weathers...it can blow too so take some warmer clothing too.

Otherwise enjoy and do some homework forst about the local geography and where everything is when inside the complex. Silverstone have an OK website which can help.

[stephen300o]

Bring plenty of clothing, no matter how warm it is elsewhere, Silverstone always manages to be ****** freezing.
Kangaroo TV's are also wothwhile booking.

[CarlT]

Get there before 7am and savour the atmosphere

[llewop]

CarlT said:

Get there before 7am and savour the atmosphere

and don't rush away straight after the race - for the same reason! (also to avoid the stampede!)

[williamp]

Some good tips there.

You're in a grandstand, so you wont need to bring seats. There is usually a big TV screen to watch too, but bring some binoculars. They use the same feed as Tv, so the writing can be a bit small to read. Plus, you might be able to see down the pit lane from Copse- and watching a live pit stop is thrilling

And bring some radio/earphones for commentary (and those F1 dcars seen very loud after a while). If you forget ear plugs, ask at the programme stands. They are free.

Bring lots of food/drink, and clothing for every weather condition.

When we went, the Park and ride was very good but they dropped us all off at entrance V8, near the Farm. Therefore you'll need to walk to Copse. You cant see too much of the track between farm and copse, so you'll hear lots of cars but wont see any. Dont worry- there's plenty of time, so enjoy the stands behind the grandstands- all the teams merchandise can be bought there.

The red arrows are great too, but I think they perform behind Copse, so you'll need to move to see them.

If you've been to any other sort of motor race at silverstone you'll be dissappointed by the limited access- you cant go inside the track at all without the right pass, for example and you can only go to the grandtands or theraised grass areas.

Oh, another tip: there is a practice in the morning. Once you get to Copse, its worth wondering up to maggots/beckets and watching the F1 cars from there. They speed they carry through this complex is amazing.

[stephen300o]

williamp said:

Oh, another tip: there is a practice in the morning. Once you get to Copse, its worth wondering up to maggots/beckets and watching the F1 cars from there. They speed they carry through this complex is amazing.

I don't know if you know Olf but, he said he was going on the sunday only, so there is no practice I'm afraid.
The support races are usually pretty good though.

[Shaw Tarse]

stephen300o said:

Bring plenty of clothing, no matter how warm it is elsewhere, Silverstone always manages to be ****** freezing.
Kangaroo TV's are also wothwhile booking.

Not had the Kangaroo TV, but having seen others with them I'd book one (if I was going this year )

[williamp]

stephen300o said:

williamp said:

Oh, another tip: there is a practice in the morning. Once you get to Copse, its worth wondering up to maggots/beckets and watching the F1 cars from there. They speed they carry through this complex is amazing.

I don't know if you know Olf but, he said he was going on the sunday only, so there is no practice I'm afraid.
The support races are usually pretty good though.

I meant warm up. Is there no warm up on the sunday morning??

[stephen300o]

williamp said:

stephen300o said:

williamp said:

Oh, another tip: there is a practice in the morning. Once you get to Copse, its worth wondering up to maggots/beckets and watching the F1 cars from there. They speed they carry through this complex is amazing.

I don't know if you know Olf but, he said he was going on the sunday only, so there is no practice I'm afraid.
The support races are usually pretty good though.

I meant warm up. Is there no warm up on the sunday morning??

Sorry no, we haven't had a warm up for years. Damn shame.

[Shaw Tarse]

williamp said:

stephen300o said:

williamp said:

Oh, another tip: there is a practice in the morning. Once you get to Copse, its worth wondering up to maggots/beckets and watching the F1 cars from there. They speed they carry through this complex is amazing.

I don't know if you know Olf but, he said he was going on the sunday only, so there is no practice I'm afraid.
The support races are usually pretty good though.

I meant warm up. Is there no warm up on the sunday morning??

Not that I remember?

Support races look verrry sloow!!

[stephen300o]

Shaw Tarse said:

williamp said:

stephen300o said:

williamp said:

Oh, another tip: there is a practice in the morning. Once you get to Copse, its worth wondering up to maggots/beckets and watching the F1 cars from there. They speed they carry through this complex is amazing.

I don't know if you know Olf but, he said he was going on the sunday only, so there is no practice I'm afraid.
The support races are usually pretty good though.

I meant warm up. Is there no warm up on the sunday morning??

Not that I remember?

Support races look verrry sloow!!

I wouldn't call gp2 slow, also a glimpse into who is going to F1 in the future. The Porsche super cups are usually quite entertaining around there(although they are a bit thin at the moment).

[Shaw Tarse]

stephen300o said:

Shaw Tarse said:

williamp said:

stephen300o said:

williamp said:

Oh, another tip: there is a practice in the morning. Once you get to Copse, its worth wondering up to maggots/beckets and watching the F1 cars from there. They speed they carry through this complex is amazing.

I don't know if you know Olf but, he said he was going on the sunday only, so there is no practice I'm afraid.
The support races are usually pretty good though.

I meant warm up. Is there no warm up on the sunday morning??

Not that I remember?

Support races look verrry sloow!!

I wouldn't call gp2 slow, also a glimpse into who is going to F1 in the future. The Porsche super cups are usually quite entertaining around there(although they are a bit thin at the moment).

Compared with F1 Porsches appear to be crawling
(I know they're not!)

[Olf]

This is great stuff, thanks all. The kangaroo tv looks like a top tip as well.

Bino's are sorted, we'll start planning the picnic ingredients now!

I scrapped the chopper in and out idea at £499+vat per head. Maybe next year.

[CarlT]

A Radio is vital to keep track of what is going on!

[davislove]

don't miss qualifying..........i was at Abbey with a great view and perhaps enjoyed that more than the race!

ETA: oh see you're only going Sunday!

Edited by davislove on Monday 25th May 20:58

[Aur]

Get there early to park next to the circuit rather than in a field.
Watch GP2 from Becketts
Tony Jardine Grand Prix Party if its on.
Seats are cramped
Red Arrows do the display behind Copse. If you want to see the display then you will need to move due to the roof obstructing.